Pile thread selecting, cutting, and positioning device for a carpet loom



April 23, 1968 s. s. c. FLEISCHER ET AL 3,379,222

FILE THREAD SELECTING, CUTTING, AND POSITIONING CARPET LOOM l0 SheetsSheet 1 DEVICE FOR A Filed July 9, 1965 Apnl 23, 1968 s. s. c. FLEISCHER ET L 3,379,222

FILE THREAD SELECTING, CUTTING, AND POSITIONING DEVICE FOR A CARPET LOOM Filed July 9, 1965 1o Sheets-Sheet 2 April 23, 1968 5, 5, c, F CH R ET AL 3,379,222

FILE THREAD SELECTING, CUTTING, AND POSITIONING DEVICE FOR A CARPET LOOM Flleu July 9 1965 10 Sheets-Sheet 3 P" 1968 s. s. c. FLEISCHER E L 3,379,222

PILE THREAD SELECTING, CUTTING, AND POSITIONING DEVICE FOR A CARPET LOOM Flled July 9, 1965 10 Sheets-Sheet 4 .Fig. 50

Fig. 5

April 23, 1968 s, s. c, FLElSCHER ET AL 3,379,222

PILE THREAD SELECTING, CUTTING, AND POSITIONING DEVICE FOR A CARPET LOOM 1O Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed July 9, 1965 Fig.9

Aprll 23, 1968 s. s. c. FLEISCHER E AL 2 FILE THREAD SELECTING, CUTTING, AND POSITIONING DEVICE FOR A CARPET LOOM Filed July 9, 1965 10 Sheets-Sheet a Apr1l23, 1968 s 5 c FLElSCHER ET AL 3,379,222

FILE] THREAD SELECTING, CUTTING, AND POSITIONING DEVICE FOR A CARPET LOOM ""611 July 9, 1965 10 Sheets-Sheet 7 Fig. 74

April 23, 1968 s. s. c. FLEISCHER T AL 3,379,222

FILE THREAD SELECTING, CUTTING AND POSITIONING DEVICE FOR A CARPET LOOM l0 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed July 9, 1965 Ill/4 Fig. 14 0;

Apni 23, 1968 s. s. c. FLEISCHER E AL 3,379,222

FILE THREAD SELECTING, CUTTING, AND POSITIONING DEVICE FOR A CARPET LOOM Filed July 9, 1965 10 Sheets-Sheet 9 April 23, 1968 s. s. c. FLEISCHER E L 3,379,222

FILE THREAD SELECTING, CUTTING, AND POSITIONING DEVICE FOR A CARPET LOOM Filed July 9, 1965 10 Sheets-Sheet l0 I I G n1 172 36 r l6 h r X I I Fig. 76

United States Patent 3,379,222 PELE THREAD SELECTING, CUTTING, AND POSI- TIDNING DEVIQE FOR A CARPET LOOM Svend Sigurd Christie Fleischer, Kroyersvej 14, Klampenhorg, Denmark; Christen Carl Thomsen, Skovvei 93, Charlottenlund, Denmark; Gottfried Gerhard Wilhelm Hofmann, Am. Baum 37, Hamhurg-Bergedorf, Germany; and Werner Heinrich Rossberg, Moosherg 17c, Hamburg-Bergedorf, Germany Filed July 9, 1965, Ser. No. 470,814 Qlaims priority, application Germany, July 16, 1964, F 43,448 16 Claims. (Cl. 139-6) ABSTRACT UP THE DISCLOSURE Pile threads are taken by a series of grippers from supply means and inserted in successive operations into corresponding series of gaps between walls of a thread carrier which transports the pile threads to the knotting device of the loom. The grippers draw the pile threads out of openings in a supply means where they are cut to the proper length by a cutting band running over a pair of wheels. The operating means of the grippers can be adjusted to pull pile threads of different length out of the supply means, and to insert them in a correct symmetrical position in the gaps of the thread carrier. Absence or displacement of a pile thread in a gap of the carrier causes closing of a circuit and indication of the faulty condition.

Background of the invention The present invention relates to a device for inserting pile threads into a carrier which transports the pile threads in the proper position and shape to the knotting device of the carpet loom. Known devices of this type have the same number of pile thread receiving gaps in the pile thread carrier, as there are grippers. In other words, as many grippers are provided for pulling out pile threads from supply means, as there are pile threads knotted in one operation to the base of the carpet. As a result, the gaps of the thread carrier are widely spaced corresponding to the space required for the corresponding number of grippers.

Summary of the invention It is an object of the invention to insert pile threads into a row of gaps in a thread carrier in several successive operations so that the number of required grippers is smaller than the number of pile threads which are transported by the thread carriers to the knotting device.

Another object of the invention is to reduce the number of bobbins respectively supplying threads to the smaller number of grippers.

Another object of the invention is to reduce the cost of manufacture of the device by saving supply bobbins and grippers.

Assuming the width of the knotting device to correspond to 600 knots in one row, and to 300 pile threads in the thread carrier, and further assuming that threads of different colors are used, only 4500 instead of 9000 bobbins are required, if the pile threads are inserted into the gaps of the thread carrier in two successive operations. If the pile threads are inserted into the thread carriers in three successive operations of the grippers, only 3000 bobbins are required for the pile threads.

With these objects in view, an embodiment of the invention comprises pile thread carrier means having a first number of gaps spaced in a row a first pitch distance; a second number of grippers spaced in a row a second pitch distance which is a multiple of the first pitch distance, the first number being the above-mentioned multiple of the second number; thread supply means for supplying pile threads to the grippers; operating means for moving the grippers along a path from a gripping position at said supply means to an inserting position at said thread carrier means for inserting pile threads supplied by said thread supply means into a first series of gaps having said second number and being spaced the second pitch distance; and control means for moving the thread carrier means between a plurality of positions in which at least a second series of gaps having the second number is located in the path so that all gaps are filled with pile threads by successive movements of the grippers.

The number of grippers is thus smaller than the number of pile threads carried by the carrier means, for example, if the number of gaps is twice the number of grippers, the pile threads are inserted into two alternate series of gaps in successive operations.

Another object of the invention is to control the length of the pile threads by one adjusting device so that the depth of the pile of the knotted carpet can be selected as desired.

In accordance with the invention, this is accomplished by adjusting cam follower means controlling the movement of the grippers.

In accordance with the invention, the grippers insert the pile threads into the respective gaps, whereupon presser members enter the gaps and form the pile threads into a triangular open shape.

The pile threads are cut to the proper length by a cutting band which permits a very fast cutting off over the entire width of the thread supply means and the row of grippers. It is preferred to provide grinding means to continuously sharpen the cutting hand during the operation. Since the cutting band moves transversely to the direction of the row of pile threads pulled by the grippers, the operation is simpler and faster than in the prior art where a cutting knife is moved along the row of pile threads to successively cut the same.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawing.

Brief description 0] the drawing FIG. 1 is a fragmentary front elevation illustrating an embodiment of the invention:

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken on line II-II in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary elevation illustrating adjustable operating means for the grippers;

FIG. 3a is a fragmentary elevation illustrating one part of the operating means of FIG. 3;

FIG. 3b is a fragmentary elevation illustrating the adjustable part of the operating means shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 4 is partly an end view of the pile thread carrier, and partly a diagram illustrating the path of movement of the grippers for pile threads of different length;

FIG. 5 is an elevation illustrating the cutting means of the invention;

FIG. 5a is a fragmentary view illustrating a detail of FIG. 5 on a larger scale;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary side elevation of the cutting device shown in FIG. 5, and showing the connection with the operating means of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view on an enlarged scale taken on line VIIVII in FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a side elevation illustrating on an enlarged scale the grinding means for the cutting band of the cutting device shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of the grinding means of FIG. 9;

FIG. is a front elevation showing a detail of FIG. 1 on an enlar ed scale;

FIG. 11 is a side elevation illustrating locking means for the thread carrier on an enlarged scale;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating a modified embodiment of a thread carrier;

FIG. 13 is a side view illustrating a detail of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a cross sectional view illustrating the thread carrier of FIG. 12 with a pile thread inserted;

FIG. 14a is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating the thread carrier and pile thread of FIG. 14;

FIG. is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating presser members for the inserted pile threads, and electrical connections for indicating a faulty insertion of a pile thread;

FIG. 16 is an elevation illustrating the operating means for the presser members, grippers, and carrier locking means, together with a pile thread supply means; and

FIG. 16a is a front view illustrating a detail of FIG. 5 on an enlarged scale.

Description of the preferred embodiments A shaft 1 is mounted in bearings 2 and 3 shiftable in axial Q direction between two positions. The casing 10 of thrust bearing 3 carries rollers 23, 24 guided on brackets 25, 26 for axial movement, and additional rollers 26 and 21 guide thrust bearing 3 along guide faces 21. A spring 6 abuts an abutment 7 and the bearing flange 18 and urges shaft 1 to move to the right as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 10 to a position in which a roller 9 mounted on casing 10 of bearing 3 abut-s a cam 4 secured to a rod 5 which is reciprocated in the direction of the arrow by the drive means of the loom, not shown. Cam 4 has a higher por tion and a lower portion forming a step having a height t. A roller 11 on a stationary bracket 12 supports the rear face of cam 4 so that rod 5 cannot be bent by the forces transmitted between roller 9 and cam 4. Upon reciprocation of rod 5, shaft 1 will perform reciprocating strokes in axial direction for a distance 1. Spring 6 can be tensioned by adjustment of the abutment bushing 7 on shaft 1.

Endless conveyor chain means 17 are guided over chain wheels 98 on shaft 1 and support a plurality of elongated pile thread carriers 13, each of which. has a row of walls 91) in the form of larnellae fixed to an enlogated bar 89. Walls 90 and sections of bar 89 may be pressed of synthetic plastic material. As best seen in FIG. 11, walls 90 have aligned pairs of bores through. which wires 91 pass in longitudinal direction of bar 89, as best seen in FIGS. 10, 11 and 15.

Walls 90 of each thread carrier means 13 are spaced a pitch distance I, as shown in FIG. 1, and are fixed on bar 89 which has two brackets 94 with adjusting screws 14.

Each. thread carrier 13 is successively moved by conveyor means 17 to the position 13' in which the adjusting screws 14 are located on opposite sides of a flange 15 fixed to shaft 1, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 10. When shaft 1 is shifted between two axial positions under the control of cam 4 acting on cam follower roller 9, force is transmitted by flange 15 to the adjusting screws 14 and thread carrier 13 is shifted between two axial positions spaced a distance t.

A row of grippers 16 spaced pitch distance 2t, that is twice the pitch distance of the walls 90 and the intermediate gaps of thread carrier 13, are positioned to cooperate with the thread carrier in the position 13'. Grip pers 16 in operation enter alter ate fi t a Second series of gaps between walls 99, so that in one axial position of shaft 1 and thread carrier 13, the grippers will enter the first series of gaps a, while in the other axial position of shaft 1 and thread carrier 13, the grippers will enter the alternate gaps b of the second series. Thus, duo ing the first movement of the grippers 16, the first, third, fifth and so forth gap will be entered by the grippers 15 which insert pile threads into the same, whereas in the other axial position of shaft 1, the second, fourth, sixth, and so forth gap will be entered by grippers 16 to insert pile threads therein. In the illustrated embodiment, the number of gaps is twice the number of grippers. If cam 4- were constructed to have three steps and shaft 1 would be axially shifted with thread carrier 13 to three different axial positions, the pitch distance between adjacent grippers 16 would be 3:, and every third gap of the thread carrier in'the position 13 would be enetered by the grippers during each operation of the same.

When all gaps between adjacent Walls of the thread carrier in the position 13 are filled with pile threads, the presser members 109, see FIG. 15, are advanced and move into the gaps to press the inserted pile threads 11 into the open triangular shape shown in FIGS. 11 and 15 which is accomplished by abutment of the pile threads against the longitudinal wires 91. An abutment 90a having a part circular recess aids in shaping each pile thread, and holes 92 in each wall 90 permit a slight spreading of the apex portion of the pressed pile threads. As shown in FIG. 14 in broken lines, the pile thread is so thick that the apex portion is laterally bounded by holes 92. The presser members flatten the thread so that the crosssection of the apex portion assumes a horizontally elongated oval shape and projects into holes 92, as best seen in FIG. 14m

The bar 89 of each carrier has lateral fiat faces ?5, see FIGS. 10 and 11, and when the carrier is in the position 13, a locking means such as a forked lever 96 is moved to the position shown in FIG. 11 in solid lines, and engages with abutments 97 the guide faces so that the thread carrier 13 with bar 89 and walls 90 is rigidly locked and can not turn on the links of chains 17. Axial shifting of the thread carrier 13 is prevented by flange 1 5 and adjustment screws 14 so that the positions of the gaps in the thread carriers are exactly defined in relation to the path of movement of the grippers 16, and it is reliably assured the grippers enter either the first series of gaps a, or the second series of gaps b in the axially shifted positions of shaft 1, respectively. 1

After all gaps are filled with inserted pile threads, the thread carrier is transported by endless chains .17 from the position 13' to another position where the knotting device is located. At this location, the pile threads 11 in the position shown in FIG. 11 are removed from the gaps between walls 90, and knotted into the base fabric of the carpet in a manner which is known and not an object of the present invention.

From the above description, it becomes apparent that reciprocating rod 5 and cam 4 are control means for shifting shaft 1 and thread carrier 13 in axial direction between a plurality of positions in which different series of gaps are located in the path of movement of the gripers 16. It will now be explained with reference to FIGS. 3, 3a, 3b, and 4 how each pile thread is taken by the grippers 16 from supply means, transported to the gaps, and inserted into the same in a position symmetrical to the abutment 89a and the hole 92, irrespective of the adjustable length of the pile threads.

Thread supply means 37, shown in greater detail in FIG. 7, have several superimposed horizontal rows of openings, in each of which a pile thread is located. The pile threads in different rows have different colors. Thread supply means 37 can be moved in a vertical direction between different positions in each of which a row of openings with threads of different color is located opposite the row of grippers 16. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4,

when the front ends of grippers 16 are in the position 0, they project into the row of corresponding openings and grip the pile yarns located in the same. T-hereupon the grippers are retracted in horizontal direction to a position in which the front ends thereof are located slightly spaced from the front face of thread supply means 37 to a position (I or any other position between points at and d, and in this position, a cutting band 52 is operated to cut off the row of pile thread supplied through the openings of supply means 37. Thereupon, the grippers move, respectively, to the points e or e in which the front ends of grippers 16 are located between walls 90 to insert the pile threads into the respective gaps of a first series of alternate gaps a. Thereupon, the operation of the grippers is repeated in an axial displaced position of carrier 13 so that pile threads are inserted into the second alternate series of gaps b.

The movement of the row of grippers 16 along the composite path c, a, e, f or an adjusted path 0', d, e, f is accomplished by the operating means shown in FIGS. 3, 3a and 3b which include rotary cams mounted on a cam shaft 46, and cam followers cooperating with the same.

The structure shown in FIG. 3a, and also shown in FIG. 3, is required for moving the grippers along the basic path 0, d, e, f. The structure shown in FIG. 3b is required for adjusting the length of the pile threads, and for assuring a symmetrical insertion into the gaps of the thread carrier 13, irrespective of the length of the pile threads.

Referring first to FIGS. 3 and 3a, a first rotary cam has an endless annular cam groove 27 in which a cam follower roller 30 mounted on a lever 29 is guided. Lever 29 is mounted on a shaft 35 for rocking movement and has at its upper end a pivot 36 on which double armed lever means 31 are mounted for pivotal movement together with a bar 16a on which gripper means 16 are supported. A link 32 is articulated to the free ends of lever means 31, and has a lower end articulated to an angular cam follower lever 33 whose cam follower roller 34 runs in the endless annular cam groove 28 of another rotary cam on shaft 46.

The composite movement of the grippers obtained by the simultaneous rotation of the cams shown in FIG. 3a, obtains a movement of the grippers along a composite path c, d, e, 7. When the front points of the grippers reach the position a, the cutting means 52 is operated so that the pile thread has a length c-d. The cam means are so designed that in the position 2 of the front ends of grippers 16, the pile yarn is located symmertically to the bore 92 and the abutment )fia described with reference to FIG. 11. Therefore, the operation of presser members 160, shown in FIG. 15, will produce symmetrically bent triangular pile threads 11.

In order to adjust the length of the pile thread, while nevertheless inserting pile threads of different length in symmetrical position in the gaps between walls 90, the adjusting cam means shown in FIGS. 3b and 3 are providcd.

Shaft 35 is not fixed as shown in FIG. 3a, but mounted on a bearing 47 which has a guide bar 48 guided for axial movement in a guide bearing 4) so that shift 35 can be moved between different positions in the horizontal direction. A lever 41 is mounted on shaft 35 and has a pivot pin 44 adjaustable in a slot 45 of another lever 39 which is mounted for angular movement about a pivot 39' secured by a bracket 42 to a frame portion 43. Lever 39 carries a cam follower roller 49 located in an endless annular cam groove 33 of a third cam mounted on shaft 45. Consequently, during rotation of shaft 46, lever 39 will perform a rocking movement depending on the shape of cam groove 38, and will cause displacement of shaft 35 in horizontal direction by which the fulcrum of cam follower levers 29 and 33 is displaced so that the composite path of the grippers 16 is modified.

Depending on the position of pin 44 in slot 45, cutting means 52, which is also operated from shaft 46, cuts the pile thread pulled out from an opening of supply means 37 when the grippers are at any point between the points (2 and d, resulting in pile threads of different length.

The shape of the cam groove 38 is so designed that the point e is not displaced the distance point a is displaced to point d, but only half this distance to e. Consequently, a longer pile thread which has the length c'd' is inserted into a gap between walls )0 in a position symmetrical to opening 92; and abutment 98a shown in FIG. 11. This is due to the fact that the added length d-a" is divided into two parts as when the pile thread is bent into the triangular shape shown in FIG. 11. If gripper 16 were located spaced a distance dd' from the point e, one leg of the triangular shape would be longer than the other.

The grippers are open in the position c, closed and stopped in the position 0' when the pile thread is cut and again opened and stopped in the position e or e.

If it is desired to have a pile thread length c'-d corresponding to a movement c-d of grippers 16, the position of pivot bolt 44 is adjusted until the same is located on a straight line connecting pivots and 3%. When pivot bolt 44 is placed at the lower end of slot 45, as shown in FIG. 3, the grippers move all the way to the point (1', which corresponds to the maximum length cd of pile threads. The endless annular cam groove 38 is designed so that at a point c, pivot bolt 35 is not displaced since cam follower roller 40 moves along a circular cam track portion having the largest radius. In the positions d,d, in which the cutting means 52 is operated, the cam follower roller 44) is located on the smallest radius of the cam track 38 so that the additional movement from point n to point d is carried out by grippers 16. Since the displacement e,e' of the grippers in the inserting position must be half the distance d-d, cam follower roller 45 is at this moment at a point of cam track 38 whose radius is the mean of the largest and smallest radii.

The adjustment of the position of pivot bolt 44 in slot 45 effects an adjustment of the length of all pile threads, and, consequently an adjustment of the depth of pile of the finished carpet, and it is a great advantage of the invention that the pile depth can be varied by adjustment of a single adjusting means.

Since the central line of slot 45 has its center in the axis of shaft 35 and a radius of curvature r, when cam follower roller do is located at the point of cam track 38 having the greatest radius R, the adjustment of pivot bolt 44 must be carried out in this position in order to avoid a displacement of the gripper position 0. Consequently, irrespective of the adjusted length of the pile thread, the grippers will grip the pile yarns in the same position 0 located in the openings of the supply means 37. When lever 41 is in a horizontal position, this displacement of s .aft 35 is a minimum, while in the position of FIG. 3, the displacement of shaft 35 is a maximum. For reasons explained above, the symmetrical insertion of pile threads of adjusted length is obtained when shaft 35 is moved at the end of the movement of the grippers half the distance dd' in the opposite direction which can be represented as follows:

As explained above, the pile threads are cut off by a cutting device at the point c at the surface of the supply means 37 by a cutting band 52, as best seen in FIG. 7.

As shown in FIG. 5, the endless cutting band 52 is guided about two guide Wheels 50, 51 which are fixedly secured to shaft 53, 54 respectively, and can move together with the same and with the cutting band 52 in axial direction of shafts 5'3, 54. A pair of cams 55, 56, see FIG. 6 and FIG. 16a is mounted on operating shaft 46, described with reference to FIG. 3, and cooperate respectively with rollers 68 on cam follower levers 57, 58 mounted on bracket means 69 and having forked ends engaging pins 70 on bearings 59, which rotatably support shafts 53, 54 but are connected with the same for axial movement. Consequently, rotation of earns 55, 56 causes displacement of cutting band 52 in vertical direction for a distance suflicient to cut off the row of pile threads 12 which is gripped by the row of grippers 16. The cutting band extends in horizontal direction along the row of pile threads passing through a row of openings in thread supply means 37. When the latter are shifted in vertical direction, another row of pile threads can be placed in the region of the path of movement of gripper 16. The pile threads are slidably clamped by the supply means 37 in a manner which is not an object of the invention.

Shaft 53 is mounted in bearing 61, 62, and shaft 54 is mounted in bearings 63, 64. A drive motor drives through a coupling 66 shaft 53 so that wheel 50 is rotated and drives cutting knife 52 which in turn rotates wheel 51. Coupling means 66 includes a part secured to shaft 53 in which a shaft portion 67 of the motor shaft is mounted for relative axial movement so that the motor can be mounted on the supporting frame 43 while shaft 53 is shiftable in vertical direction together with shaft 54 under the control of rotary cams 55, 56.

Since the free cutting portion of cutting band 52 between the supporting wheels 50 and 51 is long, and is required for cutting off a great number of pile threads, at supporting bar 71 is fixed to supporting arm 72, 73 which are mounted on shafts 53, 54 and rest on flanges of the same. Consequently, support bar 71 performs the same axial movements as shaft 53, 54 and cutting band 52.

As best seen in FIG. 7, the cutting band 52 is supported at its lower edge by plates 74 which are spaced along the length of the cutting band 52. These plates are preferably made of a hard metal having high resistance against abrasion, since the cutting knife slides on the same. The width of the supporting plates 74 corresponds to the spacing between two adjaoent openings for pile threads in supply means 57 since the plate 74 must be located between two adjacent pile threads of the row when the cutting band 52 is raised together with plate 76. Since plates 74- are located on opposite sides of each pile thread which is being cut, the thin cutting band 52 cannot be deformed by the cutting pressure, and cannot be jammed between supply means 37 and supporting plates 74. Support plates 74 are mounted by means of angular brackets 75 on support bar 71, and may be soldered to brackets 75. Brackets 75 are mounted on support bar 71 by screws threaded into bores of bar 71. While plates 74 support spaced portions of the lower edge of cutting band 52 in vertical direction, other support plates 76 are located spaced from each other behind the cutting band 52 to prevent a buckling of the cutting hand during the cutting operation. The spaced support plates 76 form narrow gaps with the front face of supply means 37 in which the cutting band 52 is guided. Since support plates 76 are located in a plane which is passed by grippers 16, support plates 76, are spaced from each other so as to be located in gaps between the grippers when the cutting band with support plates 76 and 74 is moved to the higher position. FIG. 5a shows how a supporting plate 76 is secured into a slot of bar 71 and soldered to the same.

A grinding device is provided for continuously grinding the cutting band 52 during the operation. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the circular end faces of a pair of cylindrical grinding members 77 and 78 engage the edge of the cutting band 52. Grinding member 72 is slanted corresponding to the angle of the cutting edge.

Grinding members 77, 73 are mounted for rotation in bearings 79 and 83 which are respectively supported on brackets 80 and 84 turnable about pivot bolts 81 and so that the position of bearings 79 and 83 and of the grinding members can be adjusted. Brackets 80 and 84 are pivotally mounted on brackets 32, 86 which are secured by screws to the support bar 71 which, as explained above, is movable up and down with the cutting band 52 so that grinding members 77, 78 follow the movement of cutting band 52 and remain in engagement with the same in all positions.

Cutting band 52 is driven from motor 65 and wheel 50 to move in longitudinal direction, and since the cutting band engages portions of the grinding members spaced from the axes of rotation of the same, the grinding members are rotated by the moving cutting band 52. Since the circumferential speed of the engaged portions of the grinding members is less than the speed of cutting band due to slippage, the edge of the cutting band is continuously sharpened by different face portions of the rotating grinding members. The rotary speed of the grinding members depends on the pressure with which the end faces of the grinding members engage the cutting band, and this pressure can be adjusted by turning brackets 80 and 84 about pivots 81, 85 and securing the brackets in adjusted angular positions by nuts 87 and 88.

As shown in the FIG. 9, the grinding members are staggered along the edge of cutting band 52 a small distance so that the upper portions of the grinding members 77, 78 do not interfere with each other, while the pressure of the grinding members is exerted from opposite sides on the cutting band preventing a deformation of the same by the grinding pressure.

As described above, the pile thread carrier 13 illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11 comprises a longitudinal bar 89 to which the walls or lamellae 96 are fixed between which gaps are formed in which abutments 99a with circular recesses are located. Several walls and intermediate abuti ments can be combined in an integral unit which is secured to bar 39, or the walls 90 and abutments 90a may be secured to bar 89 in any suitable manner. In order to obtain the triangular shape of pile threads n when presser members 100, see FIG. 15, enter the gaps between walls 90, wires 91 are threaded through corresponding symmetrically arranged bores in walls 90. Central holes 92 permit a spreading of the pile threads in the apex region which is pressed into the recess of abutment 90a. Angular brackets 93, see FIG. 10, are connected with chains 17 and secured by screws 93 to bar 89. The angular brackets 93 have legs which are constructed as chain links and pivotally connected to other chain links.

A modified embodiment of a pile thread carrier, according to the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 12, 13 and 14. A pair of guide plates 99 is secured to the lateral edges of bar 89 and have upper portions slanted toward each other and formed with cutouts in which the walls 90 are inserted. In gaps between walls 99, abutments 900 with circular central recesses are disposed, and central holes 92 in the wall permit the spreading of the apex portion of a pile thread pressed into triangular shape by presser members 100. The upper edges of guide plates 99 provide lateral abutments for the two arms of the pile thread when the same :is pressed into the recess of abutment 90a, as best seen in FIG. 14. The lateral faces of the walls 90 are roughened, as indicated by dots in FIGS. 12 and 14, so that the pile threads are more securely held in the gaps between the walls. It is an advantage of the construction of FIGS. 12 to 14 that the walls 90 are mounted in a slightly resilient manner so that a breakage of a wall is less likely than in the construction shown in FIGS. 10 and 11.

Referring now to FIG. 15, as mentioned above, a series of presser members 100 is provided which are mounted in a rail 104 secured to a bar 110. The thickness of each presser member 100 corresponds to the width of a gap between twowalls 9G, and after grippers 16 have inserted pile threads into the gaps, as described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the pile threads lie across the wires 91 in a symmetrical position in relation to the same and to the recess in abutment 90a. Thereupon, the presser members 100 are operated to enter into the gaps and to press first with the rounded heads thereof against the center portion of the respective pile thread which is pressed 9 lnto the recess of abutment 90a so that the pile thread, abutting wires 91 or the edges of guide plates 99, is bent into the open triangular shape shown in FIGS. 11, 14 and 15. Thereupon, the presser members 160 are retracted, and conveyors 17 transport the thread carrier means 23 to the knotting station where pile threads n are removed from the thread carrier 13 and tied into the carpet base in a manner which is not an object of the invention. As best seen in FIG. 16, presser members Hill, and also a special presser member 101, are mounted on a rail 164 which is secured to a bar 110 carried by lever means 111 which are pivotally mounted on shaft 112. Link means 113 connect lever means 111 with an angular lever on shaft 35 which carries cam follower 29, and whose position can be adjusted, as described with reference to FIGS. 3a and 3b. A follower roller 115 on lever 114- is guided in an endless cam groove of a cam 116 which is secured to the main cam shaft 46 described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 3a. Modified locking means 96 have two abutment arms 97 for engaging guide faces 95' of carrier 13, as described for forked locking lever 96 shown in FIG. 11. In order to prevent irregularities in the pile of the carpet, it is necessary that each gap contains a pile yarn n in the proper position. In accordance with the present invention, an electric circuit is provided for detecting whether a pile thread is missing or improperly placed in one or several of the gaps between walls 96. In addition to the row of prcsser members 160, a special presser member iii} is provided which moves into an empty gap at the end of the row of walls 9%} into which no pile thread is inserted by a gripper. Consequently, although member 101 has the shape of a presser member, it is a contact member engaging the wires 91 when entering the correlated gap.

Contact member 161 has a pin 101a mounted in an insulating bushing 105 in a bore of a ledge 103 of support 119. A wire it); is secured by a contact nut 1l2a to the body of contact member 101.

All presser members 1% have conductive pin portions ltilla which are guided in bores .of ledge 1G3 and in conductive connection with the same and with each other. A source of voltage, not shown, has one terminal connected to wire 182, and the other terminal connected to the grounded machine as schematically indicated at 119a. Walls 90 are made of an insulating material, while wires 91 are conductive.

When the presser members are operated to enter the gaps, contact member 191 enters its correlated empty gap and engages the conductive wire 91 which is insulated from mass, so that no current flows. The presser members 130 enter the corresponding gaps, and wherever, a pile thread 12 is in the proper position, the conductive presser members cannot engage the conductive wires fi, since they are insulated and spaced from the same by the pile threads. However, if a pile thread is missing, the respective presser member can engage the wires 1 so that a current flows through conductor 162, contact member 1101, conductive wires 91, the respective presser member 1th to mass, indicating the faulty condition. The same effect takes place if only one leg of a pile thread is misplaced so that one of the two wires 91 is touched by a presser member 1%.

Between the source of current and conductor ill-2, an electromagnetic control means, not shown, for stopping the machine, or an alarm device, not shown, is provided which is actuated when the circuit is closed due to a faulty condition of a pile thread. In the event that pile thread carrier construction shown in FIGS. 12 to 14 is used, the conductive guide plates 95% are mounted on support bar 59 insulated from the same. Contact member N31 has a support pin 196 consisting of a nonconductive material which is secured by nuts to a flange of support bar 110.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of carpet looms differing from the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in a pile yarn inserting device for a carpet loom, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can by applying current knowledge readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of rior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the following claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims.

1. In a carpet loom, a pile thread selecting, cutting, and positioning device, comprising a plurality of pile thread carrier means forming between each other a first number of gaps spaced in a row a first pitch distance and comprising at least first and second series of alternate gaps; a second number of grippers spaced in a row a second pitch distance which is a multiple of said first pitch distance, said first number being said multiple of said second number; thread supply means for supplying pile threads to said grippers; operating means for moving said grippers along a path from a gripping position at said Supply means to an inserting position at said thread carrier means for inserting pile threads supplied by said thread supply means into said first series of gaps whose number is equal to said second number and which are spaced from each other said second pitch distance; and control means for moving said thread carrier means between a plurality of positions in which at least said second series of gaps having said second number is located in said path so that all said gaps are filled with pile threads by operations of a row of grippers whose number is smaller than the number of pile threads carried by said carrier means.

2. Pile thread selecting, cutting, and positioning device as defined in claim 1, wherein said control means comprise a control shaft parallel with said row of gaps; a reciprocating control cam movable in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of said control shaft; and a thrust bearing on said control shaft mounted for axial movement with said control shaft and having a cam follower engaging said control cam so that said control shaft is reciprocated in axial direction between at least two positions; and axially adjustable means for connecting said carrier means with said control shaft so that said carrier means is moved between said plurality of positions, the steps of said control cam having a height which is said first pitch distance.

3. Pile thread selecting, cutting, and positioning device as defined in claim 1, comprising cutting means for cutting the pile threads gripped by said grippers at said thread supply means; and wherein said operating means include means for controlling said cutting means so that the same cut pile threads, pulled by said grippers a selected length out of said supply means are inserted into said gaps of said carrier means in said inserting position by said grippers.

4. File thread selecting, cutting, and positioning device as defined in claim 3, wherein said operating means include adjustable means for adjusting movement of said grippers along said path from said supply means to said carrier means, for adjusting said selected length between different adjusted lengths, and for adjusting said inserting position a distance which is half the difference between said adjusted length and said normal length so that pile threads of different length are symmetrically placed in said gaps.

5. Pile thread selecting, cutting, and positioning device as defined in claim 4, wherein said operating means include first and second rotary cams, first and second cam follower means connected with said grippers for moving the same along said path, and a shaft pivctally supporting said first and second cam follower means, and wherein said adjusting means include a third rotary cam, and third adjustable cam follower means connected with said shaft for dispzacing the same and thereby the fulcrum of said first and second cam follower means.

6. Pile thread selecting, cutting, and positioning device as defined in claim 5, wherein said third adjustable cam follower means include a first toggle lever having a stationary fulcrum, a second toggle lever turnably mounted on said shaft, and an adjustable pin and slot connection between said toggle levers.

7. Pile thread selecting, cutting, and positioning device as defined in claim 3, wherein said thread supply means have said second number of openings spaced and second pitch distance for supplying said grippers with said pile threads; and wherein said cutting means include a pair of wheels, an endless cutting band passing over said wheels, said cutting band being located in the plane of said openings; 21 pair of shafts for supporting said wheels, one of said shafts being driven so that said cutting band moves longitudinally; and wherein said operating means are operatively connected with said shafts for moving the same in axial direction whereby said cutting band is moved in a direction transverse to its movement between an inoperative position and a cutting position crossing said openings for cutting said pile threads when said grippers have pulled the same to a selected length out of said openings.

8. Pile thread selecting, cutting, and positioning device as defined in claim 7, wherein said operating means include a cam shaft having cam means for controlling the movement of said grippers along said path, and other cam means for controlling the movement of said shaft, said wheels, and said cutting band in said transverse direction.

9. File thread selecting, cutting, and positioning device as defined in claim 7 and including supporting means for supporting a cutting portion of said cutting hand between said wheels; and wherein said operating means include means for moving said support means with said cutting band in said transverse direction so that said cutting band is supported while cutting said pile threads.

10. Pile thread selecting, cutting, and positioning device as defined in claim 7 and including grinding means engaged by said cutting band during longitudinal movement of the same so that said cutting band is continuously sharpened; and wherein said operating means include means for moving said grinding means with said cutting band in said transverse direction.

11. Pile thread selecting, cutting, and positioning device as defined in claim 16, including means for rotatably mounting said grinding means so that the same are rotated by said cutting band while slipping on the same.

1.2;. Pile thread selecting, cutting, and positioning device as defined in claim 1, wherein said carrier means include a bar, a plurality of transverse walls forming between each other said first number of gaps, and a pair of wires extending in the direction of said bar through said walls spaced from each other to form abutments for pile threads in said gaps.

13. Pile thread selecting, cutting, and positioning device as defined in claim 1, wherein said carrier means include a bar, a plurality of transverse walls forming between each other said first number of gaps, and lateral guide plates secured to said bar, and having edges extending in the direction of said bar with cutouts for said walls, said edges forming abutments for pile threads in said gaps.

14. Pile thread selecting, cutting, and positioning device as defined in claim 1, including presscr means for pressing the central portion of pile threads in said gap into the same, and wherein said carrier means include lateral abutments in said gaps engaged by the pressed pile threads so that the same are pressed into a substantially triangular open shape.

15. Pile thread selecting, cutting, and positioning device as defined in claim 1*; and including electric circuit means connected with said presser means and said lateral abutments, the same being conductive and said pile thread being non-conductive so that said circuit means are interrupted by pile thread inserted and pressed into said gaps so that the absence of a properly placed pile thread permits said presser means to close said circuit by engaging said abutments so that a signal is produced indicating the faulty condition.

16. Pile thread selecting, cutting, and positioning device as defined in claim 14, including electric circuit means connected with said presser means and said carrier means and being interrupted by pile threads inserted and pressed into said gaps so that the absence of a properly placed pile thread permits said presser means to close said circuit so that a signal is produced indicating the faulty condition.

References Cited 6/ 1931 Germany. 6/1934. Great Britain.

HENRY S. J'AUDON, Primary Examiner. 

